There was a handwritten note from Walter explaining when he had discovered it and why he had kept it hidden.
I read it carefully.
Then I put everything into my purse.
For the first time since Walter died, I understood exactly what my husband had done.
I called my children.
Then I called Denise.
“Everyone needs to come to my house tomorrow morning.”
Denise immediately offered to come that afternoon.
“No.”
“Eleanor, I really think—”
“Tomorrow.”
The following morning, they arrived.
Bennett was already sitting beside me.
Denise walked in carrying paperwork.
She didn’t waste time.
She put an affidavit in front of Roman.
Then she placed another document on the table.
A draft petition seeking guardianship over me.
Roman looked miserable.
“Mom shouldn’t be alone.”
For a moment, I almost let Bennett speak.
Then I remembered Walter.
And I remembered that everyone in this family had spent the last two weeks deciding I needed someone else to speak for me.
So I opened my purse myself.
“Before anybody signs anything, I want you to see something.”
I placed Denise’s power-of-attorney document on the table.
Then I pointed to the notary section.
“This was supposedly notarized one week before Walter’s funeral.”
Roman stared at it.
“I didn’t notice that.”
“I wasn’t anywhere near a notary.”
Denise’s mouth tightened.
Then I placed the brokerage statement beside it.
“Denise also knew the exact balance of my private account.”
I looked at Roman.
“Because my son gave her the statements.”
Roman went pale.
“I didn’t know what she was doing.”
“I believe you.”
He looked at Denise.
“You told me you were helping Mom.”
Denise ignored him.
Bennett leaned forward.
“Roman, did you personally witness any indication that your mother was mentally incapable of managing her affairs?”
Roman shook his head.
“No.”
“Then why did you sign the affidavit?”
“Aunt Denise told me she needed it.”
Denise interrupted.
“This is ridiculous. Eleanor is ninety years old.”
I opened my purse again.
Then I placed Walter’s living trust on the table.
Nobody spoke.
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